About Zen and meditation applied to Street Photography
We read often about Zen philosophy applied to Street Photography. But what does this mean?
To really enjoy a day of photography, I only need one thing: to enjoy my day.
I need to be serene, but don't get me wrong, I mean that serenity that allows me to feel, observe, understand. There may be things that don't work during the day, and yet I can get into a particular mindset, it's like a zen meditation, so I can say that photography helps me a lot in life, like a kind of psychotherapy.
There are several street photographers that shared their thoughts about Zen meditation to apply to Street Photography. In particular i would quote 2 guys:
This is where mindfulness meditation and Zen practice come into play. In order to practice seeing we must first practice mindfulness. By engrossing ourselves with the task of seeing, the activity itself becomes a meditative practice. This creates a self-sustaining loop of attention and action in the present moment, leading to a state of flow. - Lukasz Palka (source)
Most directly, the principal of Shoshin is there when you pick up a camera and start to actually look at the world that immediately surrounds you. Shoshin translates as ‘Beginner’s Mind’ (I like to think of it as Child’s Mind). It’s the concept that a beginner sees possibilities while a self perceived expert sees only his way, and his way is the only true way.
When we approach a place or situation with Shoshin we feel alive and excited. We’re fascinated and we see opportunity and possibility all around. Think you’ve never experienced Shoshin? Oh you have :) That first day of your vacation, when you felt the urge to go for a stroll? When the streets and the beach and the pathways were so vivid? So gentle and inviting? When you would pause and look all around you 360? And you felt kinda peaceful? That was Shoshin :) When you feel like you want to live in the place you holiday? You don’t really. What you want is to live in Shoshin. - John Wright (source)
Several years ago I written a post (in the old blog) about Zen and Street Photography and I want to share it again here:
A beginner mind. It is difficult to stay the same as when you started, but sometimes it is useful to forget techniques and knowledge.
Patience. It's tricky as we're almost constantly under pressure and looking for quick results, but you have to clear your head and focus on your goal.
The mind is everything. Your thoughts determine your actions, and your actions your life. Being positive will help when you take your photos.
Share it. You should not parade your knowledge, just share it with as many people as possible.
Be quiet. Sometimes silence is necessary in your mind on the street, cities are very noisy, visually and mentally. Try to silence the noises and enjoy what you are doing.
Inner serenity. Your inner state shapes your body language, so here's some old fashioned advice, stand up straight, weight on both feet, chin up, chest out and a big smile.
Speak with images. Don’t forget that you are a photographer, you have to express yourself through images, without explanations or titles.
Trust. Trust your eyes and the things that catch your attention. It is good to look at the work of others, trust yourself and show everything that attracts your attention.
Acceptance. Enjoy every moment and learn to accept every moment, we should not be conditioned by anything negative when we are on the street.
Learn, constantly. In photography you can never say that you have nothing left to learn, we should always be open to learning new things from anyone.
